Separated Love (Season 2)

Chapter 70

Separated Love

by larajeszz

Chapter 70

Jaycee’s POV

The lights were dim, so it wasn't the usual sight you'll see at a wedding. I think this is what makes our wedding special.

There were no visitors because our families and friends weren't there to celebrate this special day with us. Inside the church was just me and Asher, the priest, one sacristan, and two old ladies to read the readings.

My tears couldn't stop falling as I walked down the aisle. My gaze was drawn to Asher, my groom. I can't believe this is happening! In just a few minutes, I'd change my last name from Buenaventura to Dela Cruz.

Hindi ko na muna pinroblema kung paano namin sasabihin ‘to sa pamilya at mga kaibigan namin. Walang may alam sa kanila, at ang balak ko pa nga ay sabihin kay Asher na isikreto na lamang muna namin sa kanila at hintayin na lamang na makapagtapos siya. Isang taon na lang din naman at matatapos na niya ang course niya.

Nang mapansin ko na halos kalahati na ng aisle ang nalalakad ko ay naramdaman ko ang paglakas ng t***k ng puso ko at ang dahan-dahang papatuloy pa ring pag-agos ng mga luha sa pisngi ko. The feeling was so surreal, pakiramdam ko ay nananaginip lamang ako.

Ang choir ngayon ay sa mga speaker lamang nagmumula, it was recorded. Mukhang pinaghandaan pa rin ‘to kahit na simple lang, siguro ay hindi lamang kami ang nagpapakasal sa ganitong oras. Simple lamang siya pero hindi naman ako nagrereklamo, sa sobrang saya ng puso ko sa mga sandaling ‘yon ay hindi ko na naisip ang kailangang ayos ng paligid na pinapangarap ko no’ng bata ako. Mas mahalaga na sa ‘kin ngayon ang lalaking naghihintay sa akin sa harapan ng altar.

As I reached the altar, Asher took my hand in his and walked me to a seat in front of the priest. I couldn't stop myself from smiling when the ceremony started, ramdam ko pa rin ang kaba pero mas nangingibabaw na ang saya.

Sa gitna ng pagsasalita ng pari ay ang hindi matigil na panginginig ng mga kamay ko. Sinusubukan ko ‘yong pigilan pero hindi ko magawa. Naramdaman ko ang pagpisil ni Asher sa kamay ko, we faced each other with smiles on our faces. Asher had such a genuine smile on his face, and I think that even now, I'm still blushing upon seeing it.

“Asher, do you take Jayceelyn to be your wedded wife, to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love her, comfort her, honor and keep her for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, and forsaking all others, be faithful only to her, for as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Asher answered sincerely, then flashed a huge smile.

“Jayceelyn, do you take Asher to be your wedded husband to live together in marriage? Do you promise to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health and forsaking all others, be faithful only to him so long as you both shall live?”

I looked into Asher's eyes before my response. “I do, father.”

After a few minutes, it was time to exchange our vows. And because I was the first to talk, I tried very hard to relax. Hindi ako dapat kabahan dahil alam kong manggagaling sa puso ko ang mga sasabihin ko kaya okay lang kahit hindi ako nakapaghanda.

"Babe, you surprised me with this one, and I know that you're aware that you've never disappointed me with your surprises." I wasn't even at the highlight of my vow, yet I was already crying. "We've been through a lot, and those years were challenging, but I'm grateful that you were always there for me, even when I was at my darkest times. And tonight, I'd be the happiest woman to announce to the entire world that I’m marrying the one and only, Asher Migo Dela Cruz.”

Pumasok sa isipan ko ang alaala kung paano at saan nga ba kami nagsimula. Sa isang deal, sa isang deal nagsimula ang lahat nang ito sa amin. Isang deal ng pagkukunwari na nauwi sa totohanan at naging sanhi ng pagkakalayo ng loob naming dalawa. Pero ito kami ngayon at magkasama sa harap ng altar, para matanggap ang basbas Niya.

Hindi naging madali ang relasyon namin, pero kahit na gano’n ay masasabi ko pa ring masarap sa pakiramdam. He completed me with his love, and I’ll make sure to do the same for him for the rest of our lives.

“Hindi ko masabi kung ano ang nararamdaman ko ngayon dahil sa halu-halong emosyon, pero pinapangako ko na ipaparamdam ko sa ‘yo ang mga bagay na hindi ko masabi sa ‘yo ngayon. Salamat sa ilang taong pagtitiis sa ugali ko,” pagbibiro ko na agad naman niyang inilingan. “And I hope your much prepared for more years to spend with me. You’d see this face for the rest of your life, sana hindi ka magsawa. Ngayon pa ang ay iniisip ko na agad ang magiging pamilya natin. I could already imagine some little kids running around our house, playing. I will be a loyal and loving partner to you, and I will be the best mom for our kids even if God blesses us with many children. And I could not wait to take care of you and serve you a meal every time we eat dinner after your work. As long as I'm living, I promise you won't be in too much suffering as long as we're together.

“Naalala ko no’ng mga bata pa lamang tayo, maglalaro tayo ng kasal-kasalan without knowing kung ano ba talaga ‘yon. Basta alam lang natin no’n ay parte siya ng paglalaro. And who would've expected this? My playmate before, who was also my best friend, a truly great friend, and my Migmig, would be my husband in the future. None of us expected this, but I feel like if I told my 4-year-old self that we'll get to this stage, she'd say, ‘I told you so.’” Pareho kaming natawa ro’n sa huling sinabi ko. Nai-imagine ko talagang sinasabi ‘yon sa akin ng bata kong sarili dahil inosente pa ako noon sa murang edad. “Asher, asahan mong dadamayan kita sa lahat ng hirap, at sasamahan din kita sa lahat ng ginhawa. I will help you reach your goals as you thrive for your dreams, I will help you wipe your tears if you feel like you're stuck in the dark, I'll be your light, I'll be your guide, and I'll be your everything. From being your best friend, and as your semi-enemy, to lovers, to being ex-lovers, to being a couple again, there's nothing that we can't do. We went through all that phases, and it was all worth it. Because now, I'm standing in front of you," I reached for his hand, "holding your hand, and I don't think I would be able to let it go. I love you with all my heart."

That was the end of my vow, marami pa akong gustong sabihin pero sa tingin ko ay kulang ang gabi na ‘to para masabi sa kaniya ang lahat nang ‘yon. Mas lalo lamang akong naiyak nang makita kong may tumakas din na luha sa mga mata niya. Masaya akong nakikita siyang umiiyak nang hindi dahil sa paghihirap, pero kun’di dahil sa saya.

"Babe, this night is the happiest in my life. Probably, this would be the best that I would ever feel in my whole existence. Standing here with the girl that I was dreaming of ever since we were kids, and the girl that I cared about the most even though we were miles apart.” Before continuing with his remarks, he took a few deep breaths. “I know Lolo Genciano is witnessing this up there, and so does my father. I'm more than thankful to all the things he had done for me, your Lolo was one of the kindest that I've ever met, he was the reason why I'm here and why I had the guts to come back and look for you. If it wasn't for him, we weren't able to come this far.”

Muli niyang pinunasan ang mga luha ko, hindi ko na ‘yon napigilan nang banggitin niya ang Lolo ko.

“Coming back here was the best decision I've made, dahil bukod sa nakasama ulit kita, tinulungan mo rin akong makilala ang sarili ko. Even though I was too cautious, protective, and often envious of the guys you hang out with, you had the patience to comprehend the situation. Because our trust has now proven, I promise to be less childish now that I'm your husband, and you're a Dela Cruz.”

Humigpit ang hawak ko sa mga kamay niya… I now have his surname as my last name.

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-larajeszz